Push Reel Mowers: The Green (and cheaper) Way to Mow Your Lawn

Get Ready For Summer With A Reel Mower

Using a push reel mower is a smart way to save money, take better care of your lawn and help improve the environment.

Today's reel mowers are lighter and easier to use than ever before. They make a great alternative to gas or electric mowers, especially if you have a small yard.

So before your power mower breaks down or the price of gas rises...consider getting a reel mower.

Advantages and Benefits of Using a Reel Mower

Good For The Environment - Reel mowers run on people power. There's no use of fossil fuels to pollute the environment.

Quiet - No loud noise to wake your neighbors or frighten your pets. You can have a conversation or listen to music while you mow the grass.

Better For Your Lawn - The scissor like action of the blades cuts the grass cleanly which is healthier than the hacking done by a regular lawn mower blade. A reel mower leaves the clippings on the lawn which acts as a natural fertilizer for your lawn.

Low Maintenance - No oil changes, no tune-ups, no trouble starting after the winter. Sharpen the blades every couple years, spray a little WD-40 on it occasionally and you're set.

Cheaper - You can purchase a high quality reel mower for less than the cost of a low end gas mower. Plus you'll save on fuel and maintenance costs every year.

Good For You - Pushing the mower provides you with light exercise free of breathing in the exhaust fumes of a gas mower. Your ears will appreciate the quiet.

Less Space Needed To Store - Reel mowers are less bulky than a gas or electric mower. Lean it up against a wall and it's out of your way.

No Blast Of Debris - Unlike a power mower which can hurl rocks, sticks and clippings out the side, your reel mower will just calmly snip the grass as you walk along.

Did You Know?

"One hour of lawn mowing with a gas-powered lawn mower produces as much pollution as driving your car for four hours."

Reel Mower Video - A new reel mower owner demos it.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Not As Good Cutting Tall Grass - When your grass gets to be 4" or higher the mower will have a tougher time cutting consistently and you may need to make multiple passes. Mowing frequently will help avoid this.

Best For Smaller Yards - Using a reel mower can take a little more time than a power mower. Most experts advise using a reel mower if your lawn area is less than 4000 square feet.

Tougher To Get A Manicured Look - Depending on the height of your grass, you may need to make multiple passes or increase the overlap of each pass in order to get that "manicured" look to your lawn.

Reel Comments

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glutenallergy

6 years ago

We had one of these when I was growing up, and it was pretty easy to use. Now, though, we live in Florida and the grass grows so thick and fast that I'd have a heart attack if I used a push mower. But for people in better climates (less heat/humidity), and slower, thinner grass, this is a great way to go.

jessica ruiz jo

6 years ago

I just bought one! I was amazed how the neighborhood kids reacted!! I literally had a line of kids wanting their turn to use my awesome mower, lol!! Last year, I have to pay the neighbor boy $20 to mow!

SquidJigger

7 years ago

I love mine so much, I made a lens about it! I'm surprised they're not more popular, with all the environmentally conscious people out there.

livingfrontiers

7 years ago

Mowing in the morning, with a wet lawn, and taking your time between sips of coffee...bliss in your yard!

anonymous

7 years ago

@MacPharlain: That may not be a bad thing! Think Green.

Naturally processed fertilizer.

AUTHOR

MacPharlain

7 years ago

@anonymous: A goat will do the job...but it'll require clean up and will eat more than just the grass.

anonymous

7 years ago

I'd buy an old Billy Goat instead!

I had to mow as a kid about an acre with an old, old, old, ...did I say old push mower.

If,...mind you, if you do not keep those blades sharp,...buy the goat!

I do not know many people who can sharpen them let alone a basic knife.

You must have a very well raked yard...must!

The list goes on.....I need a drink!

anonymous

8 years ago

I just ordered one for my medium size lawn. I'm looking forward to the exercise and getting rid of my pollution belching gas mower; look for it on craigslist.

CCGAL

9 years ago

Nice lens! I was pleased to see you told both sides of the story, because using a reel mower is difficult if your grass grows fast and you have a lot of yard and not a lot of time. I've tried more than once to maintain a large lawn with just a reel mower, and have failed miserably each time. However - that said, it's great exercise, pushing a reel mower, and if you have to take a walk for your heart anyway, why not make your walk back and forth over your lawn 3x week with a reel mower? Solve 2 problems at once!

anonymous

9 years ago

I actually enjoy mowing with a reel mower. Gas and electric, a chore. Keep electric mower for mulching leaves and REALLY tall grass.

Kathryn Grace

9 years agofrom San Francisco

If we have to have carpets of lawn, the push reel mower makes sense, and you can't beat the exercise.

greenerme

9 years ago

I could use a push reel mower workout once in a while. Nice work!

LisaDH

9 years ago

I had a push mower with my first house, which had a VERY small yard, and I loved it.

SquidPoint

9 years ago

Odd... I bought one of these just last week. Not only is it more green, but it makes for a good exercise

anonymous

9 years ago

Not good for a busy family. With a power mower, I can mow once a week. With the reel mower I MUST mow twice a week or else double my work.

Better for the environment, but too difficult. I am listing mine on craigslist and buying a 'real' mower.

Teddi14 LM

9 years ago

I was thinking about buying one for my yard. I have a hard time with my gas push mower and this seems easier and greener! Thanks for the informative lens. I am lensrolling it to my lens on tips to save gas and energy at home. 5 *'s. I found you on www.lensroll.com too.

roysumit

9 years ago

Informative lens on the subject. Five stars to you.

Cheryl Kohan

10 years agofrom Minnesota

This is a great lens! I'm lensrolling it and favoriting it...five stars, too. Good job!

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